FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN INDIA-- ESSAY WRITING AND PRECIS WRITING

The word Democracy is derived from two
Greek words: Demos meaning “People”, and Kratos meaning “Power”.It essentially means “Power to the
People”.The People decide which
institutions and laws will govern them and their land.A democracy regards the People’s will to be
paramount.`Vaxpopuli, vaxdei”, that is
`the voice of the people is the voice of God”.Hence, it is highly idealised and eulogised by all as a government “by
the people, of the people, for the people”.Essentials of a democracy include a just legislature, an independent and
strong judiciary, an honest and incorruptible executive and free press.Each of thse citadels supports a thriving
democracy.

India is the largest democracy in the
world with a parliamentary system of Government, which for all intents and
purposes, is the best means for the expression of the popular will. Our
democratic system of governance is run by the representatives of the people,
elected periodically.Indian democracy
is based on universal adult franchise and a healthy and competitive
party-system.These parties play a
significant role in the elections and in the smooth functioningof the democracy. These political parties are
the very life-blood of Indian democracy.

Liberty, equality, justice and fraternity
are the very cornerstones of democracy.They are not available under dictatorship and utilitarian forms of
government.The Constitution guarantees
all the Indian citizens these basic freedoms and rights in the form of six broad
categories of Fundamental Rights.There
is free, independent and separate judiciary to see that these rights are not
violated and tampered with.All are
equal before law, right from the Prime Minister to a peon.This is the very sprit and essence of our
democracy.

Democracy is the best form of government
so far found but it is not without its defects and criticism.Communalism, casteism, regionalism,
insurgency, terrorism and illiteracy, etc. are some of the basic problems and
challenges being faced by our democracy. Ours is a secular country.Secularism means freedom to profess, practise
and propagate one’s religion without interfering with that of others.There cannot be any discrimination on the
basis of one’s faith and religion either.There is no state religion and all religions and sects are equalbefore the law.But at times, communal and fundamentalist
forces raise their ugly heads and cause considerable strain and threat to the
spirit of democracy.In our country,
there are very many political parties, some of which are communal, regional or
limited to a particular class of people.During elections, narrow caster considerations are aroused and exploited
by unscrupulous politicians.Thus, the
behaviour of a large number of electors is largely influenced by such dirty
propaganda.Communal feelings and
considerations play an important role in the selection of candidates in various
constituencies.The leaders themselves
fan communal feelings in constituencies where such a step materially brightens
their election prospects.Regionalism is
another major factor in deciding the fate of candidates in the elections.The politicians are fully aware of these
weaknesses of the people and take maximum advantage of them as the
circumstances demand.The recent spate
of communal unrests in Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh has time and
again put our democracy in jeopardy.Therefore, we have to be very vigilant and circumspective about it.Democracy has been successful in India
because we are a tolerant people and have proper regard for the others’ point
of view.

The multiplicity of parties also causes
lack of a strong opposition, which is essential for smooth functioning of
democracy.A strong opposition party is
capable of providing an alternative government, if such an opportunity arises,
and it also keeps a check on the authoritarian tendency and high-handedness of
the government in power.They criticise
the government policies in a democratic and constructive spiritso that national integration, secularism,
unity, liberty, and the rights of the people are preserved and further
strengthened.

Violence is the antithesis of democracy.Sometimes violence erupts during elections or on account of some other
public demand. It is a bad sign.The democratic process has no place for
violence.Democracy functions on the
basis of majority or consensus.If
violence is resorted to for undoing a majority decision, it is wrong and does
not speak well of a democratic people.Difference of opinion is not only compatible with democracy, but an essential ingredient for it.Discussion and persuasion are the only
democratic methods, which may be called fair and in keeping with the democratic
methods, which may be called fair and in keeping with the democratic spirit.

Another bane of our democracy is the influence of big money in the
elections.Elections are a very costly
affair.The political parties as well as
individual candidates spend large sums of money on elections.Money has become a major decisive factor in
our elections.Money has become a major
decisive factor in our elections.In
every election, money is squandered on transport, film shows, and propaganda to
influence the electorate.Political
parties collect large sums of money from big businessmen and industrial
concerns.After having won the election,
the political parties try to protect and further the interests of their
donors.The real sufferer in this
political corruption is the common man, who is neglected, and progressive and
welfare schemes to ameliorate his pitiable conditions are shelved.Hence, it has been rightly pointed out by the
critics of the system that, “Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what
they want for lunch.”

But Perhaps, the greatest ill of our democracy is that a large
proportion of the electorate is illiterate.They do not properly understand the functioning of democratic
institutions. They are unaware of their rights and often undermine the great
power in their hands and end up wasting their votes.These ignorant and illiterate people are
easily swayed by cheap propaganda, empty slogans and attractive promises.
Shrewd and unscrupulous politicians mislead them with tall talk and exploit
their ignorance for their selfish objectives.

Recently we have seen eclipse of democracy in the Middle East and also
in our neighbourhood.In Pakistan,
democracy has been thrown overboard, and
the status of the minority is yet undefined.These instances raise doubts in the minds of the people regarding the
future of Indian democracy.But India
put all doubts to rest when it successfully conducted the General Elections of
2014 for electing the representatives of the 16thLok Sabha.The worldwatched democratic exercise on the Earth! These were the first Lok Sabha
elections when the option of `None Of The Above’ or NOTA was introduced on the
EVMs following Supreme Court directions to ensure secrecy of voters who use
this option.Lok Sabha elections 2014
witnessed the highest ever turnout with 66.38 percent of an estimated 814
million voters exercising their franchise – the highest ever in the history of
general elections.These elections are a
testimony to Indian people’s faith in the institution of democracy.

The decisive victory of a single party only depicts how Indian voters
have become more assertive and active with regard to their participation in the
democratic process.This further
reflects the growing political awareness and maturity of the Indian masses,
which, in turn, has made the various political parties more conscious of their
responsibility and accountability to the people.For the democracy to thrive, we must always
be ready to broaden the foundations, remove impediments to the free expression
of people’s will and the various threats and challenges posed by forces hostile
to the spirit of democracy.

The future draws upon both the traditions inherited from the past and
challenges encountered in the present, contemporary India.Democracy is an evolutionary process,
dependent on constant modification and change in the light of experience.What we just need is a long term vision, an
open-minded approach and a spirit of learning from our mistakes.The fair and free elections, independent
judiciary, enlightened voters, nationalistic political parties and the
Fundamental Rights guaranteed by our Constitution ensure a bright future for
Indian democracy.